Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio (2nd from left), House Speaker Martin Romualdez (rightmost) (Speaker’s office)

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio's historic address before Philippine Congress has galvanized the House of Representatives as far as securing the country’s interests in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is concerned. 

This, as House Speaker Martin Romualdez vowed on Sunday, Nov. 5 to help implement the "cooperation blueprint" espoused by Japan. 

In his historic speech Saturday, Nov.4 during the special joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate, Kishida bared just how serious a partner Japan is to the Philippines when it comes to issues of security and defense cooperation. 

"Prime Minister Kishida's remarks prove that Japan is a dependable, eager, and stable partner of the Philippines in fostering international order. Together with like-minded nations such as the United States (US), we look forward to solidifying the cooperation blueprint with Japan," Romualdez, head of the 300-plus strong House of Representatives, said in a statement. 

Kishida stressed Japan's "renewed commitment" to defend a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)". He said that an important pillar of FOIP was to “extend efforts for security and safe use of the sea to the air". 

The Japanese leader also shared to the joint body its decision to donate 12 ships to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), as well as the delivery of a warning and control radar to the Philippine Air Force (PAF). 

On top of this, the Philippine Navy waiting on coastal surveillance radars from Japan under the newly established Official Security Assistance (OSA). And then there's the promise of the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which is the two countries' version of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). 

"We sincerely thank Prime Minister Kishida and the Japanese people for their generosity, they truly are a good friend of our country," Romualdez said. 

"Incidentally, we in the House of Representatives have also begun to take serious steps to augment the capabilities of our PCG, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and other security agencies with the realignment of P1.23 billion in confidential funds under the P5.768-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB)," said the Leyte 1st district congressman. 

Romualdez also underscored this in a chance interview after Kishida's address. Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri was also on hand. 

"Napakaganda nitong mga partnership na sinasabi ng mahal nating Senate President na inulat din ni Prime Minister Kishida. Kaya gagawin din natin ‘yong mga dapat gawin din natin, sa budget natin, susuportahan natin ‘yong Coast Guard, ‘yong Navy, ‘yung Armed Forces...para mapatibay natin ang ating karapatan dito sa ating bansang Pilipinas, lalo na dito sa KIG, sa Kalayaan Island Group," the House leader said. 

(What our beloved Senate President and Prime Minister Kishida are reporting about are great partnerships. That why we will also do what we must do, using our budget, we will support the Coast Guard, the Navy, the Armed Forces...to strengthen our rights to our country the Philippines, in the KIG, the Kalayaan Island Group.) 

The KIG--which the Romualdez and other congressmen want turned into a Maldives-like tourist destination--is located in the WPS. The Speaker personally visited the islands during the legislative recess.